Mickey Mouse birthday cake

The first of 2 cakes today, I'm very pleased with how he came out! I was asked early this week to make a Mickey cake for MB's 4th birthday. This is totally freehand with the carving and such, He is made from 2 round cakes and bit of extra cake for his nose. Hubband traced the mouth for me before I piped it, but otherwise this one was all me. I'm actually preening a little as when M saw it she said "MICKEY MOUSE!". If you pass the test of recognition by a 4-year-old, you've definitely achieved greatness.

Better Representation

Beechcraft Musketeer Cake

This is the real plane...This is the one I did...

Leaps and Bounds

Last Sabbath she started staggering from one to the other in step groups of about 3-4. By Thursday night, she was much more balanced and would voluntarily walk from the couch to her friend Annah, or to me, or a toy. Yesterday, coming from her room with "Miss Stacy" (thanks again for helping out while I was working on cake, Stace!), she walked a whopping 13 steps before plunking down on her padded little butt.

In addition to still having a case of the sniffles, El is also working very hard on the production of teeth 5 and 6. She has discovered that 4 teeth make a wonderful clicking sound when chomped together, too....

This week also has been a big one in that we introduced her to our own personal downfall in the Memphis metro area: Amerigos Italian Restaurant. Luckily, since funds have been so tight, we've not been here for months. Some friends gave us a gift certificate for Christmas and while we vowed to save it for a special occasion we had such a stressful week that Wednesday evening we packed up the baby and headed out to drown our sorrows in cheese fritters. And we did. And it was good. And Eleanor LOVES them. And pasta. And bread with olive oil. She is her parents child.

Today is Navy weekend. We thought it was last weekend, which means it has actually now been 2 Sabbath's that I haven't been to church or even gotten El to Sabbath School, but it was nice last weekend to rest after we found out that the drill had been moved. This weekend, drill is on so Hubband is away, and I'm blogging while my frosting softens a little so I can finish up the airplane cakes that I'm making for Annah's big first birthday party this evening at the Spencer's house. Pictures, of course, will be posted when the cake is done.

My coffee maker beeped, and the clock reminds me that El has been napping for 20 minutes now and I'd better get going if I want to accomplish anything before she wakes up. My friend Anca will be stopping by later for baby kisses and pumpkin spice coffee (see, Queenie, its the gift that keeps on giving! Wish YOU could stop by for some. I bet the girls would adore each other. At least, they would if they know what's good for them, eh?!) . Should be a nice restful morning for the most part!

Breaking News!! First Steps!

We've seen Ella take a step here and there, but haven't reported it because it seemed to be just an anomaly. Throwing herself forward and keeping her legs under her long enough for one step just didn't seem like WALKING. Yesterday, however, she took 4 steps from Daddy to Mama. We tried to catch it on camera, and she refused to comply and do it again. Last night I dreamed she was racing everywhere this am, and got out the camera just in case. While I wouldn't call it RACING, the little vid here shows that she is, indeed, taking her first steps! Daddy kept a hand in part of the time, just to make sure she didn't fall far, but she was doing the moving and balancing on her own!

Counting My Blessings

I can't believe how long it has been since I sat down at the blog and actually wrote something.

This winter has been a struggle for me, emotionally. There are highs and lows and the feeling inadequate because I'm not supporting the family and not able to do the things for my friends and family that I wanted to do... then there has been the guilt because so many of our friends and family were/are so amazingly generous. Because of all this mish mash of feelings, I decided instead of a traditional new year list of resolutions, I would make a list of blessings.

• Our Christmas tree was overflowing with gifts this year, and we feel so very blessed to have each and every one of you in our lives. I only wish that I could win the lottery or something and do exactly what I want to do for EACH of you, as well the little gag funny gifts that I see all year round (Diva Pig cooky jar, Queenie!).
• Every day with Eleanor. Even when I'm tired and she is cranky and pulling at me and whining and breaking things or WHATEVER... she just has to look at me and I melt inside. She's becoming such a little individual, with all the best parts of both of us and some of the bad parts too (she has my patience level...).
• Unemployment benefits and Severance pay. I was thinking the other day how much worse this would be for us if the government hadn't created unemployment benefits and if my company hadn't seen fit to provide some severance pay. In a way, for the next couple of weeks, we are actually going to be receiving MORE income than before I was laid off. Of course, only for those couple of weeks... then its dropping precipitously. BUT, this is about the blessing of being able to pay down some debt before the cliff edge is reached!
• Family. Always there for us, an ear to laugh or cry into...advice when needed (and sometimes not)...We just are so lucky that not only do we LOVE our family, we LIKE them too!
• Friends. When I left NY I worried that I would find no friends and I found the B's and the Garbers. When I left Oak Harbor, I worried I would find no friends and I ended up with renewed friendships from years ago as well as new friendships. We also have a great church family who provides support when we need it.
• Our pets. Sometimes I don't feel blessed by them, I must admit, but Priscilla and the Kids do bring a healthy dose of laughter and cuddles into our house.
• Hubband. I'm lucky to be loved by him.